Daly Waters Pub

4/6/2013 - Gungurul (Kakadu)

 

Still no Baramundi on my fishing hook.  We headed for the last camp in Kakadu and dropped off the van before heading on a 4wd track to Maguk. 
 

When we arrived, we were presented with the usual saltwater croc sign.  The funny thing was, that the board walk was under water, and the track actually crossed the creek, where you had to wade through.  Just as well we don't scare easy, cause the pond and falls were quite nice, although, we didn't swim there  ;).

 

Graham was ready to spring into action at the first sign of crocs with his hand crafted spear (stick he found)

 

On the way back out, Graham proved it was a 2WD track by leaving the car in 2WD. Lidia disaproved, but, point to Graham, because we didn't get bogged at all, and it was more fun.




Back at our camp, we took the lookout walk, which ended up being a lot like the other lookouts when you get there. Boring.


We climbed all the way to the top, in 34 deg C heat just to see more trees, and a fire.  Someone needs to rewrite the tourist attractions in this place.

Anyway, beer o'clock came early, and we even had a little campfire.






5/6/2013 Harriet Creek


We decided to visit the last couple of tourists places before leaving Kakadu.  First stop was some stupid lookout at Yurmikmik.  The swinging bridge right near the carpark was the best part of this 5km walk.

We were going to do a river walk on the way back, but we lost the track and had to turn back.

Back in the car air cond was awsome. Another 30mins drive on gravel roads took us to Gunlom.

Gunlom would have to be the best swiming place in we found in Kakadu.

A short walk from the carpark took us to the swiming hole at the bottom of the falls.  There were a couple of aborigini kids swiming so figured it to be safe.  We had a shallow short swim, then headed for the top.  This was a 1km walk/climb, but worth it.  It was a small waterfall and a series of rockpools, with excellent views.  The water was clear and crock free

 

We floated around for a while, had a few faterfall showers, then treked our way back to the carpark.

 

Picked up the van from the Rangers station carpark, then left Kakadu.  In all, it was more expensive than other NT national parks, and not as good.  Other travellers we were talking to were naming it Kaka-dont, instead of Kakadu..

 

Just drove a bit out of the park and stopped at a really nice free camping area near Harriet Creek

 

 

 

6/6/2013 Jalmurark Camp (Elsey National Park)

 

 

Got an early start and arrived back in Katherin.  We filled the fridge and cupboards again in Wollies, fueled the car, got a gas refil then headed straight for the hot springs again..Arrrrr

 

Driving, driving driving.. more boring driving.  Then we arrive at Elsey national Park.  We got a camp site at Jalmurark Campground.  Set up the van, picked up the fishing rod and off we went. We tried every fishing hole along the road and not even a touch.

We kept driving and arrived at the Rainbow Spring and Thermal pools. Just another naturally heated, clear water spring..

 

 

 

We did some more floating then back to camp.  Graham finished the day with some fishing, but lost his Golden Bomber (Bara lure).  Now how will we catch a baramundi?




7/6/2013 Daly Waters Pub (Powered site = air cond)


As we floated around the thermal pools yesterday, people were saying how nice Bitter Springs were.  So, we decided to drop in and see for ourself.

The answer is awesome.  Its the same heated water, but much larger and deeper.  Graham got his snorkeling gear out and we did some more floating around.

Hit the road and drove for a couple of hours and we arrived at Larrimah (pink panther) pub.  We had lunch and a walk through their free zoo

 The guy there had a baby red Kangaroo, he said it was 9 months old and had been hand raised.  It followed him around like a lost puppy.  It was funny to see.  Lidia snuck a pat.

















They had heaps of birds there, and even a 2-3m saltwater croc.  Lidia's favourite were the Red tailed Black Cockatoos

Bit more driving and we arrived at our overnight destination - The Daly Pub.  This pub is not much to look at, and is hard to find, but it has the best beef and barramundi meals.  When we booked in the caravan site, we had to preorder dinner. The 5:30 and 6:30 sessions were sold out so we got a 7:30 seating, with around 50 people per sitting.  Its funny, because we haven't seen this many people for ages, and the caravan park just kept filling up.  But, just freshly back from the 7:30 meal which includes free entertainment from "Chilli" (Dave Chilcott), who is a (barely) kid friendly version of Rodney Rude.  He. has some good jokes and songs about the Northern Territory, so we shelled out 30 clams for 2 CDs.